Do I Need a Permit?

Many projects require some type of permit so it is important to contact the Building Department before beginning any construction work. Projects started without a permit will be stopped and are subject to normal permit fees in addition to civil fines and inspection costs.

Projects that Require Permits:

The City issues the following kinds of permits; building, mechanical, storm drainage and detention systems, demolitions, grading, working in the right-of-way and driveway replacement.

Building Permits

A building permit is required for any type of structural work, including:

Most remodels and alterations

All additions

Re-roof

Replacement of doors or windows

Decks

Swimming pools, hot tubs and spas

Wall-board repair and replacement

Retaining walls over 4 feet in height

Accessory buildings such as gazebos, sheds and pool houses

Most arbors and trellises

Most water features and fountains

Storage Pod

Mechanical Permits

A mechanical permit is required for installing or replacing mechanical items such as:

Furnaces

Water heaters

Ranges and indoor barbeques

Fireplaces inserts and log lighters

Fans and vents

Air conditioners and heat pumps

Hydronic heating systems

The following types of permits or reviews may be required, but are handled by the agencies indicated.

Electrical Permits

Electrical permits are issued and inspected by the Department of Labor and Industries.
State of Washington Department of Labor and Industries
616 120th Avenue NE, Suite C201
Bellevue, WA 98005

You must obtain a mechanical permit through the City of Clyde Hill for gas appliance hookups; including gas cooktops, gas hot water heaters, gas furnaces, air conditioning units attached to gas furnaces, fireplace gas inserts or starters and gas BBQ connectors.

Sanitary Sewer, Water Connections and Fire Sprinklers

The City of Bellevue provides water, sewer and fire service to the City of Clyde Hill. These types of permits are issued and inspected by the City of Bellevue.

Many new homes and substantially remodeled homes require fire sprinkler systems. The determination of whether or not a sprinkler system is required for your project is made by the City of Bellevue Fire Department.

Prior to your submission to the City of Clyde Hill for a building permit you must have a fire sprinkler determination for your project. Take two copies of your building plans to the City of Bellevue Fire Department. They will review the plans and stamp them; the stamp will indicate whether a sprinkler system is required or not. These same two copies of the stamped plans should then be submitted to the City of Clyde Hill for the Building Department review.

Asbestos Removal

Projects for which a Building Permit is not required:

One-story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses, provided the floor area does not exceed 120 square feet and meets the accessory structure regulations of the Clyde Hill Municipal Code.

Fences not over 6 feet high. This exemption shall not apply to structures designed or used for sound attenuation purposes.

Retaining walls that are not over 4 feet in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge or impounding Class I, II or IIIA liquids.

Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade, and not over any basement or story below and are not part of an accessible route.Temporary motion picture, television and theater stage sets and scenery limited to thirty (30) days.

Swings and other playground equipment accessory to single family dwellings, not affecting the structural coverage allowance of the lot and meets the accessory structure regulations of the Clyde Hill Municipal Code.

Painting, papering, tiling, cabinets, counter tops, carpeting and other similar finish work for which inspection to verify code compliance is not required unless these items are part of a larger project that requires a building permit.

Pre-fabricated swimming pools located above grade that contain water not over 24 inches in depth.

Non-fixed and moveable cases, racks, counters and partitions not over five feet, nine inches (5'9") in height, unless these items are part of a larger project that requires a building permit.

Projects for which a Mechanical Permit is not required:

Portable heating, cooking, or clothes drying appliances.

Portable ventilation equipment.

Portable cooling unit.

Steam, hot or chilled water piping within any heating or cooling equipment regulated by this code.

Replacement of any part which does not alter its approval or make it unsafe.

Portable evaporative cooler.

Self-contained refrigeration system containing 10 pounds (4.54 kg) or less of refrigerant and actuated by motors of 1 horsepower (746 W) or less.

Portable fuel cell appliances that are not connected to a fixed piping system and are not interconnected.

Projects for which a Plumbing Permit is not required:

The stopping and/or repairing of leaks in drains, water, soil, waste or vent pipe provided, however, that should any concealed trap, drain pipe, water, soil, waste or vent pipe become defective and it becomes necessary to remove and replace the same with new material, the same shall be considered as new work and a permit shall be procured and inspection made as provided in this code.

The clearing of stoppages.

Reinstallation or replacement of pre-fabricated fixtures that do not involve or require the replacement or rearrangement of valves or pipes.

Emergency Repairs

Where equipment replacements and equipment repairs must be performed in an emergency situation, the permit application shall be submitted within the next working business day to the building official.

Repairs:

Application or notice to the building official is not required for ordinary repairs to structures, replacement of lamps or the connection of approved portable electrical equipment to approved permanently installed receptacles. Such repairs shall not include the cutting away of any wall, partition or portion thereof, the removal or cutting of any structural beam or load bearing support, or the removal or change of any required means of egress, or rearrangement of parts of a structure affecting the egress requirements; nor shall ordinary repairs include addition to, alternation of, replacement or relocation of any, water supply, sewer, drainage, drain leader, gas, soil, waste, vent or similar piping, electric wiring or mechanical or other work affecting public health or general safety.